Happy Tails: Reporting lost, found pets helps reunions

Kevin, a lost cat, was photographed after being found recently. Her owner recognized her after the photo was posted on social media.

For decades, many local stray animals were euthanized and many others adopted out with no obligation for vet care or spay/neuter. There was no animal rescue organization taking responsibility for Marshfield strays, and therefore, citizens were hesitant to enlist the help of animal control because the stray's fate would be uncertain.

Now, thanks to Marshfield Area Pet Shelter, or MAPS, conditions are improving every day for homeless animals in our community. With the ultimate goal of building a much-needed shelter here in Marshfield, MAPS currently operates as a "shelter without walls." This volunteer organization works tirelessly every single day to improve animal welfare in the community, and they are saving lives that just a few years earlier would have been lost.

Perhaps the most important initiative developed by MAPS is the Share the Care program with Clark County Humane Society, or CCHS, which involves MAPS paying $50 per cat and transporting them to CCHS. At CCHS, cats receive excellent care and attention, are spayed/neutered, microchipped and adopted to new families. Although a temporary solution, Share the Care has provided more than 100 homeless cats an opportunity for a better future.

Although unclaimed strays now have a good outcome, an even better result is a happy reunion, and MAPS has been instrumental in several of them. More than 170 cats have passed through Marshfield's animal control facility this calendar year, and just one had a microchip. All the rest have had their photo taken (a challenge in itself) and posted on MAPS' Facebook page and website. These photos are shared extensively, sometimes reaching thousands of people.

One cat recently united with her owner because of MAPS' efforts was beautiful Siamese mix, Kevin, who was found on a cold street in Marshfield earlier this month. She (yes, it's a girl named Kevin) had been missing since mid-October, and her family wasn't sure they'd ever see her again. Kevin isn't telling where she was during her absence, but whoever found her did the right thing by calling ordinance control.

Knowing that MAPS posted stray cats' photos, Kevin's owner had been watching the Facebook page in the hopes of seeing her cat's photo. She was overjoyed when her beloved feline's photo appeared. Kevin is now safe at home and soon will be microchipped.

Kevin's story demonstrates why it is so important to report a pet that is lost and equally important to report one that is found. That stray cat or dog you are feeling sorry for might be someone's lost pet, and they will benefit most from being reported.

Marshfield is very fortunate to have its own ordinance/humane officers who pick up city strays. Once a dog or cat arrives at animal control, they will be scanned for a microchip, posted on MAPS' Lost & Found page, shared on social media and, if not claimed, will be well cared for and adopted out to a good home.

"Everyone needs to understand the stray animal process in their area," said MAPS President Karen Rau. "Marshfield has ordinance control officers who provide this service within city limits. Outlying areas have their own policies."

Rau also encourages everyone to get involved by contacting their town's leadership and asking what procedures are in place in order to know who to call after finding a stray dog or cat.

"Sharing this responsibility and becoming actively involved in ordinance policies in your area will enhance our efforts to reunite lost pets with their owners and increase your own odds of your pet returning home safely," she said.

Since forming MAPS in fall 2011, there has been a lot of positive change, but there is more yet to do.

"We need everyone to educate themselves on pet policies in their area to help us effectively maintain a successful lost and found program," said Rau.

Please support Marshfield Area Pet Shelter in its efforts to build a shelter on land at 3500 Downwind Drive, and fulfill its mission. Until the building is ready, MAPS is located in the mall with some services available, such as microchipping, educational materials and an adoption center. Donations can be made online at www.MarshfieldPetShelter.org or by mail to MAPS at P.O. Box 147, Marshfield, WI 54449.

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Happy Tails: Reporting lost, found pets helps reunions

For decades, many local stray animals were euthanized and many others adopted out with no obligation for vet care or spay/neuter.

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